Go ahead, pinch and see. If you pinch your skin on the back of your hand and it doesn't snap back right away - if it just stays up like a little crepe-y tent of skin - you're well on your way to severe dehydration.

What was supposed to be a relaxing father-daughter retreat in Boulder Canyon turned into a bit of nightmare Wednesday night when the first of a few storms came through dumping more water than the area typically gets in an entire year - they call these whoppers "the 100 year flood." The last major floods were in '97 and '76.

One of the reasons camping rates #5 on people's list of ideal outdoor activities is...BUGS. These little suckers can be a real pain, especially for those of us who are genetically more appealing to bugs (about 10% of the population simply tastes sweeter to mosquitoes). Here are the latest and greatest bug repelling products that don't do a number on the environment...

Fire is a man's business. His inner caveman comes out when it's time to build a fire. He's not afraid to get dirty, get crafty, and get stupid in his primal pursuit.

Well, that's all well and good, but why should men have all the fun? Learning to build the perfect fire can be a woman's business too. At the very least, learning how to spot when enthusiastic men are doing it all wrong is an essential outdoor survival skill. Here's how to do it the wise woman way:

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Grow your love of the outdoors by learning the essentials. Check this space for tips and tricks, how tos and 101s, recommended reads and more. Learn how to build a fire, hang a hammock, avoid a bear attack, or dress an outdoor table.